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Dear Friend,
Welcome back to Let Me Be Blunt. Last week, after hours of debate, dozens of amendments (click here to here to hear me discuss my amendment) and a true fight from your congressional delegation, House and Senate Republicans passed and President Trump signed into law their reconciliation bill. What they called the "Big, Beautiful Bill," was far from it. From the Congressional Budget Office and economic think tanks to news outlets, advocates and governors across the country, it is clear this law will have sweeping, negative impacts — ripping away healthcare coverage and food assistance from working families to pay for a tax break for those who need it least. At the same time, the bill grows the debt and deficit while making the government less efficient. Delaware’s congressional delegation will continue to work with our governor, legislators, local officials, and community partners on the path forward and prepare for the fight ahead.
Delaware, you are used to me being blunt, so I won’t stop now. We are in a challenging time but what gives me hope and confidence is that we come from “a state of neighbors”. As this bill is implemented, we will focus on 1) Communication and providing you with information, 2) Partnership and working together on solutions to fill the gaps and mitigate harms to families and businesses, and 3) Mobilization — continuing to hear your voices and plan for the future. We are in this together!
This Week in Washington
Defending Public Broadcasting
The Trump administration —- supported by Republicans in Congress — has put forward legislation that would claw back federal funding that Congress has already approved for programs that are vital for Americans.
In addition to funding for global health, economic development, and peacekeeping through USAID, the Republican package would cut $1.1 billion from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting which funds PBS and NPR. I never thought I’d have to go to the Senate floor to defend the importance of programs like Sesame Street or PBS Newshour, but on Wednesday, that’s exactly what I did.
I was proud to join many of my colleagues to speak out against these devastating cuts which would threaten to shutter local TV and radio stations. These stations not only provide educational and cultural programming for communities and families but also emergency alerts, particularly in rural areas across the country. My full remarks can be viewed HERE.
ABOVE: I joined my colleagues on the Senate floor to stand up for public broadcasting across our nation.
Questioning the NOAA Nominee
On Wednesday, I had the chance to question the Trump nominee to lead the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Dr. Neil Jacobs. I focused specifically on the 27% cut the Trump administration proposed for NOAA and how these cuts would impact his ability to uphold NOAA’s mission, keeping the American people safe and informed — from predicting and monitoring severe weather events to managing and conserving our coastal resources and communities. I specifically asked for his advocacy for our Sea Grant program which provides research and technical assistance to build resilient communities and spur economic development.
We are facing a climate crisis. There couldn’t be a worse time to slash NOAA funding. I made this clear during my conversation with Dr. Jacobs. You can watch our full exchange HERE.
ABOVE: At this Commerce Committee hearing, I made it clear: this is not the time to cut NOAA funding.
Standing Up for High-Speed Internet in Delaware
Did you know that there are still many Delawareans who don’t have access to the internet in their homes or businesses? The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provided funding to close the digital divide and ensure everyone has access to the internet they need for school, work, health, and more. Delaware has been working to access that funding and get high-speed internet to our hardest-to-reach communities.
Unfortunately, the Trump administration is slowing Delaware’s progress by adding unnecessary red tape. In response, I sent Commerce Secretary Lutnick a letter demanding an explanation for this delay. Delawareans deserve to know why this critical program has been put on hold. CLICK HERE to read my full letter.
Black Women’s Equal Pay Day
This week, I introduced a resolution to recognize Black Women’s Equal Pay Day. Black women still must work nearly seven months longer to earn what white men make in a year. As Delaware’s former Secretary of Labor, I know the importance of pay equity, and I am committed to finally closing this persistent gap. CLICK HERE to read more about my resolution.
This Week in Delaware
Highlighting Harmful SNAP Cuts
When Republicans in Congress passed their budget bill last week, they slashed SNAP and other food assistance programs across the country. I joined Senator Coons and Congresswoman McBride, along with advocates, community leaders, and SNAP recipients, at the Food Bank of Delaware to highlight what the devastating cuts mean for our state and commit to working together on behalf of Delaware families. CLICK HERE to read more about this press conference.
ABOVE: I joined my federal delegation and community partners to shine a light on the impact of these SNAP cuts.
Meeting Outstanding Young Leaders from Africa
It was my pleasure to meet with the 11th cohort of the Mandela Washington Fellows this week. This important program, which is hosted by the University of Delaware, helps outstanding young leaders from Africa gain leadership skills and insights that they can implement in their home countries. This year’s cohort includes 23 leaders from 19 nations!
ABOVE: It was a pleasure to meet with this year's class of Mandela Washington Fellows.
Serving the Community
Members of my constituent services team spent an afternoon at Rosa Health Center in Georgetown helping members of the community with federal and state casework issues. They were able to solve problems constituents had with immigration, Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. Thank you to everyone who stopped by our table!
ABOVE: Members of my constituent services team at Rosa Health Center in Georgetown
This week, I want to share a story from Michele, who lives in Port Penn. She wrote in to tell me about how the new Trump Tax law will hurt her family.
Michele is a mother of three and relies on medication and mobility aids just to get by. Between chronic pain, high blood pressure, mobility struggles, and more, Michele knows the importance of healthcare. Without Medicaid, she and her husband might not be able to afford any other form of insurance.
Michele told me, “I'd love more than anything to be able to walk the mall without the assistance of a walker and the potential need to have to take an anxiety pill. I need my medications for a reason, and they want to take it all away. This is literally a life-or-death situation in a lot of people's cases, I'm sure, and I just don't understand how someone can do this.”
For Michele, losing her insurance means losing her way of life. Along with our partners, I will be working hard to help Delawareans, like Michele, get the services they need.
Do you have a story to share? I want to hear from you! Please click here to share your story.
Please note that your stories may be used on the Senate floor, on social media, or with the press.
Below are some helpful resources for you:
- Cybersecurity Training: If you’re a small business owner with a cooperative agreement or grant with the SBA, you can access brand-new cybersecurity training designed by Delaware’s award-winning Small Business Development Center (SBDC). Visit northstarcert.americassbdc.org.
- Lower Energy Costs: You can lower your energy costs thanks to tax credits and rebates made available by the Inflation Reduction Act. Learn more at energy.gov/save.
- Look Before You Book: Before you book your next international trip, make sure your passport is up to date! Visit travel.state.gov to check your passport expiration date, apply for a new passport, and more.
- Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP): Before you go overseas, consider downloading STEP, a free service that will send you safety and security alerts from the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. Travel with peace of mind and enroll today at mytravel.state.gov/s/step.
- 988 National Suicide Prevention Helpline: If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, call 988 or visit 988lifeline.org, the 24/7, free, and confidential support National Suicide Prevention Hotline.
- Delaware 211: Delawareans in need of emergency housing, utility assistance, food assistance, and more should call 211, Delaware’s free, confidential resource hotline.
- U.S. Department of State’s Exchange Programs: The State Department sponsors several programs across the world that can give Americans educational, cultural, and professional experiences. Find out more at exchanges.state.gov/us.
- Medicare Prescription Payment Plan: Medicare Part D beneficiaries can spread out the costs of prescription drugs over the course of a year thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act. Payment plans have zero-interest installments and a $2,000 annual out-of-pocket cap. Learn more at medicare.gov/prescription-payment-plan.
This week’s Constituent Corner honors University of Delaware student Hailey Mack, who was recently crowned Miss Delaware. She will be representing our state at the Miss America Competition in Orlando, Florida this September. Hailey is studying civil engineering and plans to spend her tenure as Miss Delaware empowering women in STEM, showing her peers that they can do anything they put their minds to. Congratulations, Hailey!
ABOVE: Hailey Mack, Miss Delaware 2025, stands with her boyfriend, Cason (left), and her father, Brian (right) (DAILY STATE NEWS/GLENN ROLFE)
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